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Note – This article has been modified since it was originally posted to correct that candidate Ted Paul works for Cherokee Central Schools.
Murphy – Six people, including two incumbents, filed to run for two seats on the Andrews Board of Aldermen by the July 21 deadline.
One-term incumbents Jonathan Ellison and Michael Sheidy are running to keep their seats on the board. Challengers Randy Hogsed, Jodie Kozma, James McLean and Ted Paul also filed to run for office.
Among the five-member board of aldermen, three seats are not up for election this election cycle – Mayor James Reid, Mayor Pro Tem Brandi Smith and Alderman Steve Jordan.
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 7. These are the only Cherokee County officers with seats expiring in 2023. The seats go to the top two vote-getters.
Information about Ellison, Sheidy, McLean and Hogsed was included in last week’s edition of the Cherokee Scout.
Paul is a plumber with Cherokee Central Schools who ran for a seat on the board in 2017. He has three primary areas that interest him: public safety, economic development and lowering water fees.
Paul wants to end a “catch and release” system, where people charged with crimes are back on the street within hours of their arrest. He doesn’t blame local law enrichment; he blames the District Attorney’s Office and magistrate judges.
“I love Andrews,” the longtime resident said. “I’d like to see it grow, but I’m not holding my breath for industry to come here. We need to look for other ways for it to grow.”
Paul said the town is better off financially, and as a result he would consider lowering town water rates, which he called too high.
Kozma could not be reached for comment about her campaign by this week’s press deadline.